Fantasy sports sites like Draft Kings could very soon be able to operate again in New York state if Gov. Cuomo signs the bill that was approved early Saturday morning.

ALBANY - Daily fantasy sports websites are now just a signature from Gov. Cuomo away from resuming operations in New York.

In a pre-dawn vote Saturday morning, state lawmakers gave final approval to legislation that legalizes daily fantasy sports and gives the Gaming Commission power to regulate the sites.

“With football season around the corner, you are going to make a lot of New Yorkers very happy,” Sen. John Bonacic (R-Orange County), a sponsor of the bill, said as the Senate voted 45-17 in favor the bill.

The bill, which was approved by the Assembly earlier Friday, was among the last bills approved by the Legislature before it concluded its session for the year. The measure now heads to Gov. Cuomo, who has yet to take a position on whether to sign it.

Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, who helped craft the bill, speaks to Assembly members during a debate on fantasy sports Friday night.

(Hans Pennink/AP)

“Under review,” Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi said when asked about the bill.

Daily fantasy sports sites FanDuel, DraftKings and Yahoo shut down their New York operations in March as part of an agreement with Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who had accused them of violating state gambling laws.

The bill crafted by Bonacic and Assembly Racing and Wagering Wagering Committee Chairman Gary Pretlow (D-Westchester) defines daily fantasy sports as a game of skill instead of chance.

Assemblymen Tom Abinanti argued that betting on fantasy sports is akin to gambling.

(Hans Pennink/AP)

Under the Legislature’s bill, the sites would be required to obtain a license from the state and pay a tax equal to 15% of their gross revenues after prizes have been taken out.

“You've got to tie yourself into a pretzel to somehow say that this is not gambling,” said Assemblyman Tom Abinanti (D-Westchester).

Fans of daily fantasy play that reside in New York get their way after a drawn out battle.

(Richard Drew/AP)

In a statement, FanDuel hailed passage of the bill.

"New York fantasy sports fans rallied - with more than 100,000 emails and thousands of phone calls to legislators - and legislators heard them and responded," said Nigel Eccles, FanDuel CEO and Co-Founder. "The bill represents a thoughtful legislative process, where bi-partisanship and willingness to compromise carried the day, and we are extremely hopeful Governor Cuomo will sign this bill.”